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4.16.2012

Petition for Legislation for Bicycle Infrastructure in Ontario

In the absence of appropriate infrastructure in our cities and the
consequence of fatalities and injuries in collisions between motorized
and non-motorized vehicular traffic, we submit a proposal for
legislation for Alternative/Complementary Transportation.

Sustainability and livability in Ontario cities have been drastically
compromised due to inconsistency in urban planning and lack of mobility
management. The effect has been a disproportionate impact on economics,
health, safety, and environmental repercussions.

Both levels of Government have overlooked and undervalued costs and
benefits in conventional transport economic evaluation. Transportation
imbalance and failure to integrate alternative modes of transportation
have contributed to road congestion, healthcare costs, lost
productivity, environmental decline.

Thereof, this is to request a review for new Acts, law, or changes to
the Provincial Policy Statement under the Planning Act to introduce
Provincial Legislation for Alternative Transportation Infrastructure in
our cities.

"Municipal governments install bicycle lanes on
existing and new Municipal roads to constitute a “Cohesive and
Integrated Cycling Infrastructure.”"

"Consistent Cycle-Transit integration with GO, Public Transit, on trains and buses."

This
will be in accordance with Places to Grow Act - Ministry of
Infrastructure, Move Ontario 2020, to take cars off roads - Ministry of
Transportation, and the Provincial Policy Statement – Planning Act -
Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

Please note, the following statistics refer to a limited number of
extensive reports on socioeconomic benefits of Alternative/Complementary
Transportation.

Health Benefits:
Ontario Investment: 1 mile cycling per individual provides $0.19 in Health Benefits alone.
If 25% of Ontario population cycles 1mile/day/year the benefit/cost to Healthcare system will be over $225 Million per year.

US: Investment in cycling infrastructure will avert $155 Million in healthcare costs per year in Portland, Oregon.

Europe: High rate of Alt/Trans in Denmark, Sweden, Amsterdam have one-third obesity rate of US.

Investment in Alt/Trans:
Initial investment will yield 4 times the amount of bicycle miles
travelled per invested dollar. One bike trip vs. one car trip saves
individuals and society $2.73 per mile. A 2-mile bike trip would save
$5.56. Cost of a bike-lane can be as little as $5,000/mile.

US:
North Carolina invested $6.7 Million in bicycle infrastructure and generated $60 Million in economic benefits through Tourism.

Wisconsin generates 20% of bicycle manufacturing in US. The bicycling
industry brings in $556 Million and 3,418 jobs to Wisconsin.

To date, copious subsidies to automobile transportation sector resulted
in privatized profits and socialized costs at the expense of equity and
sustainability that alternative modes of transportation offer.

In view of the cost-effective and economically rewarding aspects of this
proposal, we trust the Government will decisively and advantageously
take action to introduce legislation on Alternative Transportation in
Ontario.